‘Sluggish’ QLD housing approvals drive calls for rules reform
As new data shows a slow increase in Queensland dwelling approvals, the Far North is defying the trend with a surge in numbers.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed new dwelling approvals were up in Queensland by 13.7 per cent – but the figures fell short of the government target of 50,000 a year.
One region stood out, with ABS figures for the July quarter showing Far North Queensland’s (Cairns) approvals increasing by 281.6 per cent.
Mackay and Whitsunday clocked a 84.1 per cent jump, followed by Downs & Western with 54 per cent.
Other regions with increases included North Queensland with 21 per cent, Sunshine Coast with 20.9 per cent, Wide Bay Burnett with 17.7 per cent and Central Queensland with 8.3 per cent.
Only Greater Brisbane and The Gold Coast recorded falls in approvals, with -5.9 per cent and -11.2 per cent respectively.
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This data comes after peak industry association Master Builders made its submission to the Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) inquiry to review and reform regulations in the building and construction industry.
Master Builders general manager Dyan Johnson, said QPC’s review offered a rare opportunity for change in the industry, noting the pace of dwelling approvals in Queensland was “sluggish”.
“The key to success here is asking whether existing policies and technical changes deliver a clear net benefit for the community and our industry. Anything that fails that test needs to be abandoned,” Johnson said.
Johnson advocated for the Best Practice Conditions (BPIC) to be permanently repealed.
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“Safety and build quality need to stay top of the agenda. We are calling for consistency in Queensland’s WHS legislation with the national model laws, and to prevent their misuse by some Health & Safety Representatives, which drives down productivity on worksites,” Johnson said.
“Now is the time to gain clarity and hit the reset button for the benefit of our industry and the communities who need us.”
Demand for housing in SEQ grows
The data was released as Colliers announced it had recently secured a $17 million Land Lease Community (LLC) deal, which would bring housing growth to South-East Queensland.
The commercial and residential real estate service company acquired a parcel of land from Flagstone City to Milbury, with plans to build 293 homes.
It would include the construction of amenities including a 25-metre lap pool, gym, bowling green, pickleball courts and cinema.
First residents were expected to be living in the community from 2026.
Colliers Healthcare and Retirement Living Director Chris O’Driscoll said the site’s strategic position would accomodate up to 138,000 people.
“This sale is evidence that institutional and private buyers alike are recognising the structural tailwinds behind land lease communities, especially in growth corridors such as Flagstone that has strong growth in the over-55 demographic,” O’Driscoll said.
Colliers Queensland Residential Director Brendan Hogan noted that there was high demand for LLC due to Australia’s ageing population wanting to downsize in retirement.
“We’re seeing unprecedented levels of enquiry from LLC operators and developers both new. entrants and established groups. These communities are becoming a core part of the housing solution as retirees look to downsize and deploy available capital,” Hogan said.
